Applicability of homogeneous exposure groups for exposure assessment in the chemical industry

The purpose of the study was to assess occupational exposure to chemicals, by taking the aspects presented in European standard EN 689 into account, especially with respect to homogeneous exposure groups and their suitability as the basis for exposure assessment. In addition, dermal exposure to chem...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International archives of occupational and environmental health 2000-09, Vol.73 (7), p.471-478
Main Authors: MÄKINEN, M, KANGAS, J, KALLIOKOSKI, P
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological and medical sciences
Chemical Industry - standards
Environmental Monitoring - methods
Finland
Humans
Medical sciences
Miscellaneous
Occupational Exposure - standards
Occupational Exposure - statistics & numerical data
Occupational medicine
Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine
Skin Absorption
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Summary:The purpose of the study was to assess occupational exposure to chemicals, by taking the aspects presented in European standard EN 689 into account, especially with respect to homogeneous exposure groups and their suitability as the basis for exposure assessment. In addition, dermal exposure to chemicals was assessed when appropriate. The industries studied included a plywood factory, a paint factory and a sewage treatment plant of an oil refinery. The workers were classified into homogeneous exposure groups by the persons in charge of occupational health issues in the respective workplaces. The concentrations of the contaminants were measured in workplace air by breathing-zone and stationary sampling, and these approaches were compared. Dermal exposure was measured when applicable. The homogeneity of the grouping was tested with analysis of variance whenever possible. The tasks studied in plywood manufacturing fulfilled the criteria of homogeneous exposure groups for both respiratory and dermal exposure. The group of operators in the sewage treatment plant was highly homogeneous. The complicated organization of the tasks made the use of homogeneous exposure groups (HEG) unsuitable at the paint factory. These findings show that reliable exposure assessment cannot be achieved with a formal standard; instead, comprehensive occupational hygiene evaluation is needed. It should also have a great importance when exposure models are developed.
ISSN:0340-0131
1432-1246
DOI:10.1007/s004200000175